Alfa Romeo Giulia sets new Nurburgring Record

The Alfa Romeo Giulia is starting to make believers out an increasing number of people, helping to turn them away from the stagnating German brands. To say that more than a few automotive publications were shocked at the Italian performance sedan’s recently announced Nurburgring lap time would be an understatement. It’s understandable, considering that even the majority of automotive enthusiasts have completely underestimated the engineering abilities of Alfa Romeo, something they likely won’t do again.

With a lap time of just 7 minutes and 39 seconds, the Giulia Quadrofoglio looks to be extremely well equipped to take on its German competitors. That kind of a time is simply impressive, considering that no other production sedan in automotive history has beat it. Among the other vehicles the Alfa Romeo sedan has beat out is the BMW Z4, which made it around the track in 7 minutes and 52 seconds. Among the other cars’ lap times the Italian model beat is the Lamborghini Murcielago and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

Just as impressive is the fact that the Giulia actually matched the Ferrari 430 Scuderia’s Nurburgring lap time from 2007. It was also a mere second slower than the 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera’s official time.

Knowing what’s under the hood of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrofoglio helps make sense of why the car is so incredibly fast. The turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 comes from Ferrari lineage, which is why it pumps out an earth-shattering 510 horsepower and 425 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to the engine is a six-speed transmission, showing that the Italian brand is all about unadulterated performance. Adding to the sweetness of the engine is an exhaust note that sounds primal and haunting, making it something competing brands will learn to fear greatly.

Less primal versions of the Giulia are also on their way, which are powered by four-cylinder engines. While the manual transmission is standard, buyers will also be able to get an automatic transmission.

Not only is the Alfa Romeo Giulia powerful, it’s also lightweight. The sedan tips the scales at about 3,300 pounds, which also helps with its speed and handling abilities. Engineers outfitted the car with active aerodynamic parts, including an adjustable front splitter, which has the ability to exert up to 220 pounds of downforce.

When it comes to straight-line quick acceleration, the Giulia is still no slouch. According to Alfa Romeo the car accelerates from 0 to 100 kmh in a mere 3.9 seconds. It also can hit a top speed of 191 mph.

Alfa Romeo created a completely new vehicle design for the Giulia. The Italian automaker will actually use the platform to create several more models, helping to flesh out its model lineup.

The Nurburgring is a popular way for automakers to measure just how well-rounded their vehicles are. One lap around the track is 12.9 miles long. It contains huge straightaways that allow cars to build up considerable speed, tricky sweeping turns, sudden bumps and many other factors that push any machine to its limits. In other words, a phenomenal lap time on the famous track proves that the Giulia is about more than just raw power. The car brakes well and can stick turns with the best of them, which will make it a blast to drive anywhere.

An official launch date for the Alfa Romeo Giulia in the United States hasn’t been announced yet. In Europe, the car will arrive in the fall of 2016, which is likely about when it will hit our showroom.